New Jersey Schoolgirl Improvises Sidewalk-Based Internet Café

HOBOKEN, NJ -- Despite tens of billions of dollars' worth of devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the operating spirit is alive and well. An enterprising schoolgirl, 11-year-old Lucy Walkowiak, has opened what ABC's Good Morning America called a "pop-up Internet café" on the sidewalk in front of her house here.

The young girl set up a picnic table and is running tablet computers with Wi-Fi connections from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., providing neighbors and visitors with Internet time. The Walkowiak family, whose home never lost power, is also allowing neighbors to charge up the batteries on their own phones, computers and other electronics. Apparently Lucy is also offering the use of her own phone and email so neighbors can get in touch with loved ones. The improvised venue is also collecting donations for the Red Cross.

News reports made no mention of sweepstakes videogames or other amusements being played at Lucy's sidewalk café.

Local news anchors interviewed the young lady live on morning television, via Skype, and praised the budding entrepreneur for helping her community.